Must throw first punch: Philander

Vizianagaram, September 29 

South Africa pacer Vernon Philander wants the team’s senior players to take responsibility and throw the “first punch” at “big dogs” India in the upcoming three-match Test series starting October 2.

The opening Test against India will mark the start of South Africa’s ICC World Test Championship campaign and Philander said it is going to be a tough battle first up. “It’s a tough start… playing India in India, but I don’t think the South Africans would have wanted it any other way… take the big dogs in their home ground,” Philander was quoted as saying by the ICC. “All of us are looking forward to this challenge and there are a lot of player-to-player challenges as well.” 

It will be the first Test series for South Africa since the retirements of experienced players such as Hashim Amla and Dale Steyn. “Spotlight will be on a lot of big players to make a statement. Our job is to come here and give the first punch as India is obviously expected to do well,” said Philander. “We are known as a team that starts slow, so this time around we have to start well.”

Philander, who had picked up 15 wickets during South Africa’s last Test series against India in 2018, wants the senior players to leave behind a legacy for the youngsters. “We have lost some senior players and there are new players coming in and we want them to learn quickly,” he said. — PTI

Stress fracture not because of Bumrah’s action, says Nehra

New Delhi: Ashish Nehra insisted that Jasprit Bumrah’s stress fracture in the lower-back has got nothing to do with his unorthodox action. “Stress fracture is unrelated to action. He doesn’t need to change his action and if he tries to do that, it won’t be great. Let me assure you when he comes back, he can bowl with same action, intensity and pace,” Nehra said. “His action is not that unconventional. The alignment of his body at the time of delivery is perfect.” PTI